Double Pane Windows Fogging On Outside

It s not uncommon to walk into older homes and see windows on the sunny side of the home with a glass seal failure that allows condensation and fogging between the panes.

Double pane windows fogging on outside. Getting condensation on the windows suggests that for some reason the outside surface of the windows is colder than the ambient temperature. You wipe the outside pane and get the same results. Every double pane window eventually fails. Most window seal failure and window fogging occurs because of seal breakdown and water puddling or other major moisture exposure.

The cloudiness is between the two panes of glass. You wake up one morning and notice one of your double pane windows or patio doors is a little cloudy. This same fogging can occur on any side of the home but tends to be more visible on the sunny sides because the additional heat from the sun can accelerate the seal failure. There is no such thing as a fail proof thermal pane window.

Luckily there are some remedies to the problem. Condensation on the inside of double paned windows insulated windows or thermal windows is usually caused by the window seals failing around the window panes. Wood framed windows tend to last 20 to 24 years if well maintained. Intense heat often because of too much direct sun could be the actual cause in many cases.

Then glue small plastic tubes in the holes to prevent further moisture from getting into the window. Heat softens or weakens double pane window seals which leads to later moisture penetration and fogging. Some days and especially at night the cloudiness disappears but then it reappears and over time the cloudy area becomes larger thicker. Then you have a revelation.

The reason this happens is because the glass get much cooler at night on the new windows than with the old because the heat is not transferring from inside your house to the outside as readily. Also with the sun shining through the glass the fogging can be more visible and readily apparent. The buildup is a result of aging sealant that breaks down and cracks which allows moisture to enter. Double paned windows provide home and property owners with security from outside elements and some degree of protection from breaking and entering.

This typically occurs in older windows or doors. Maybe it s happened to you. Double pane foggy window repair can be done by drilling 2 small holes on the outside pane of glass. As the sun hits the window the trapped moisture condensation get released.

You wipe the inside pane with the sleeve of your bathrobe and the cloudiness remains. When the sun comes up the warm rays hit the cooler glass causing it to warm up quickly and the surrounding air reaches it dew point causing moisture in the air to. Only explanation i can think of is that the double glazing is falling a long way short of what we were promised and that the cold from the airconditioning is communicating through the double glazing to the outside surface.